Best League Race: East Yosemite League. It's going to be high drama every week in the EYL once the league campaign starts.

There are four teams that have every right to consider themselves a top title contender — Mission Oak, Porterville, Tulare Union and Tulare Western.

Best Schedule Upgrade: Dinuba. The Emperors host Mission Oak (Friday), El Diamante (Sept. 19) and Tulare Union (Oct. 3), plus they were able to keep their series against Porterville and Hanford.

If Dinuba wins two of those three nonleague games at home, it probably should be considered one of the county's top three teams.

Top college football recruits: Le'Andre Jefferson, Mission Oak (Class of 2015). Jefferson is attracting interest from several top programs in the West. He'll be the Hawks' primary running back, and will also switch from safety to cornerback, a change that could translate into more scholarship offers. Romello Harris, Tulare Union (Class of 2016). Redskin tailback already holds offers from Washington State and Colorado State, and the list should continue to grow with several Pac-12 and Mountain West coaches showing major interest.

1. Redwood at El Diamante, Oct. 24: Good bet that this will be the game that will determine West Yosemite League championship and Tulare County supremacy.

2. Mission Oak at Tulare Western, Oct. 24: EYL title, city title and No. 1 Central Section Division III playoff seed could all be on the line with this one.

3. Tulare Union at Redwood, Sept. 12: If Tulare County is going to be a factor in the Division II playoff bracket, it's the winner of this game that should emerge as the area's best hope.

4. Dinuba at CVC, Oct. 10: We'll get a better idea if CVC could be a realistic contender for a spot in the CIF Southern California Division IV regional championship game after it hosts the 2013 Division III champion Emperors in a pivotal Central Sequoia League game.

5. Tulare Union at El Diamante, Friday: This budding rivalry game will provide a better picture of the gap between El Diamante and the rest of Tulare County, and if Tulare Union is poised for a comeback this season.

Spotlight Players

A look at some of the area's top players in pivotal situations:

Danny Alvarado, Mission Oak: A 2013 Times-Delta/Advance-Register first-team selection, Alvarado is the lynchpin player in the Hawks' 4-3 defensive front, as four new starters are introduced on the defensive line along with a new starting middle linebacker. If the Hawks are to continue their standing as one of the area's top defensive teams, they need Alvarado to control the right side from his outside linebacker post.

Mekhi Henderon, Tulare Union: The Redskins are going to a new 3-5-3 defensive alignment, and the senior linebacker is expected to be a top playmaker in the new scheme. He has the speed and tenacity to be a disruptive force in opposing backfields.

John Kulick, Woodlake: As the second option in the Tigers' ground attack last season, Kulick rushed for 772 yards and six touchdowns. He's a good bet to be well over the 1,000-yard mark this season, and a driving force in the Tigers' pursuit of the East Sequoia League and Division V championships.

Kobe Portillo, Tulare Western: Mustang senior quarterback came on strong to end last season, and should be one of the area's top passers. He's arguably Tulare Western's greatest rushing threat. If he's able to stay injury-free, this may be the Mustangs' best offense since 2004, the last year they won the East Yosemite League title.

Sheldon White, Golden West: White has the top-flight speed to be the Trailblazers' primary offensive playmaker. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season. Golden West could be a contender if it can qualify for the Division IV playoffs (.500 overall or league record is required by the school district), and scoring enough points is the Trailblazers' primary concern in the key games they need to win to advance to the postseason.

A look at some of the area's players expected to step into starring roles in 2014:

Jordan Brooks, Mt. Whitney: Junior quarterback took over the starting position last year, and performed well (61.2 completion rate, 1,253 yards passing, 9 touchdowns). With more confidence and experience running the Pioneers' up-tempo offense, Brooks could have the Pioneers scoring 24-plus points on a consistent basis.

Angel Cortes, Lindsay: Cortes takes over the featured running back role for Lindsay, and is expected to be one of the top players in the East Sequoia League. Cortes accounted for 911 yards of all-purpose yards last season, including 594 yards receiving and 191 yards rushing.

Jeremiah Johnson, Redwood: Rangers have a distinct advantage over other area teams with their offensive line, led by 2013 Times-Delta/Advance-Register first-team selection Nick Bianco, and Johnson will be the beneficiary as he takes over the No. 1 running back role. Johnson, a senior, averaged five yards per carry last season.

Keylan Liles, El Diamante: The Miners' new featured tailback was impressive at times last season as a sophomore. In 2013, he rushed for 478 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Richard Torrez, Mission Oak: Torrez, a sophomore, may be one of the nation's top hopes to develop into a legitimate heavyweight contender in boxing (yes, he's that good), but he's also an outstanding football player — who has the potential to earn a scholarship to a major school when he's a senior. He's the new starting middle linebacker for the Hawks, and will also be used as an H-back/tight end/fullback.

One preseason view of the top five teams in Tulare County (2013 record in parentheses):

1. El Diamante (12-1): Defending West Yosemite League champions have three players that should be playing on Saturdays at some collegiate level next year — quarterback J.C. Robles, defensive end Tymerick Martin and linebacker Darius Liles.

2. Redwood (8-3): The Rangers are El Diamante's top threat in the WYL, and are shaping up to be the area's best bet for Division II playoff glory.

3. Tulare Western (7-4): Senior core of key players gives the Mustangs the slight edge in what should be a very competitive East Yosemite League. Wouldn't be a shocker if they repeated as the No. 1 seed for the Central Section Division III playoff bracket.

4. Mission Oak (12-1): Hawks have 14 returning starters, a high number for a team that just missed out on a Central Section Division IV championship last year. But there is one big void in the roster (2013 Times-Delta/Advance-Register Bob Mathias Award winner Elijah Porchia graduated in June), and how the Hawks are able to make up for that elite play-making talent is their biggest concern.

5. Tulare Union (3-7): Are the Redskins back amongst the area's elite already? Not yet, but they're getting close. They've got a premier talent in junior running back Romello Harris, and the defense may be the most improved unit in the area.

In the picture: Dinuba (10-3), Porterville (9-3), Mt. Whitney (2-8). There's not much of a margin between No. 3 and No. 7. CVC could be in the mix as well if a revamped offensive line performs better than expected.